Ephesians 2 English Standard Version (ESV) By Grace Through Faith 2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of … Continue reading
For a long time I thought that the ‘fear of death’ was the fear of physical death. While it is partially that, I believe that the author of Hebrews was also talking about dying to self in order to live for God. Hebrews 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook … Continue reading
8 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther … Continue reading
After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. 2 All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel … Continue reading
As we come to the close of Hebrews I wanted to do a recap of the entire book to give us a better understanding of these final words. We have learned that Jesus is superior to the angels and the prophets – God announced his superiority. Because of his superiority we need to pay attention … Continue reading
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set … Continue reading
Hebrews chapter 11 has been labeled by some theologians as ‘the Great Hall of Faith’. Truly it is a reminder of so many great and wonderful things that the Lord has done in and through people in the past, and why today we can be positive in our confession. The last verse from chapter 10 … Continue reading
To this point in Hebrews we have seen that the sacrificial system of the Law was meant to point the worshipers in the direction of Christ. It was instituted to create an awareness that sins were something that had to be dealt with because God is holy and just. We’ve seen that Christ is our … Continue reading
Chapter 7 showed us extensively the difference between the different priesthoods that have been instituted and approved by God. We learned that Jesus follows after the same pattern of Melchizedek in the way that He is not of the line of Levi, but never the less, God swore on oath that Jesus was indeed a … Continue reading
How can we be assured of our certainness in God’s promises? 13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” The writer takes us back to Genesis. Abraham had been chosen by God to be the … Continue reading
Last week we learned about the difference between physical rest, as well as the different types of God’s rest which are: past, present, and future. We were encouraged to be on the look-out for our fellow believers who don’t seem to have entered God’s rest, and we learned that it is possible to be assured … Continue reading
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have … Continue reading
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by … Continue reading
A couple weeks ago I did some research through the scripture to understand what Heaven will be like. What I found was encouraging and has helped me to understand some other passages of scripture that I had previously read, but that now stand out, as I have been reading through the books of Corinthians. This … Continue reading
While walking through the valley of Aijalon, through olive groves and beautiful landscape, we came upon a large hill with no trees on it. This is Tel Gezer. A ‘Tel’ is a large pile of hundreds and even thousands of years of building and tearing down of a city on top of itself. Each time … Continue reading
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able … Continue reading
Jesus is Tested in the Wilderness At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. – Mark 1:12-13 Matthew 4 Luke 4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After … Continue reading
“I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 … Continue reading
1. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (What is it there for?) In chapter 7 we discussed why we are now able to live apart from the law and no longer be bound to it. Because of this freedom given to us by God, those who are in … Continue reading
He 33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. 35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. 36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. 37 Turn … Continue reading
